“I Can’t Lose Him Too” — Alabama Parents Make Emotional Plea as Search Intensifies for Missing Son in Japan

KYOTO, Japan — The parents of a missing Alabama college student have issued an emotional public appeal as authorities, volunteers, and international agencies continue searching for their 20-year-old son, who disappeared during a family trip to Japan under circumstances that remain unclear.

James “Weston” Higginbotham, an environmental engineering student at Auburn University, was last seen on May 29 in Kyoto. Since his disappearance, his family has been thrust into a nightmare unfolding thousands of miles from home, desperately seeking answers while hoping each passing day brings news of his safe return.

In a heartfelt video message shared online, Weston’s parents, Nancy and Keith Higginbotham, spoke directly to the public, thanking supporters while urging people across both the United States and Japan to continue spreading awareness about their son’s disappearance.

Their message was marked by a combination of determination, fear, and hope.

“We need people to keep sharing his picture,” Nancy explained. “Every post, every message, every share creates another chance for someone in Japan to recognize him.”

For the family, social media has become one of the most powerful tools in the search effort. Every repost potentially places Weston’s face before someone who may have seen him, spoken to him, or crossed paths with him in the days following his disappearance.

Weston traveled to Japan with family members on May 25. What was supposed to be a memorable international trip quickly transformed into a desperate search operation after he vanished only days later.

Authorities say the last confirmed sighting occurred on surveillance footage showing Weston exiting a train at Yamashina Station in Kyoto on the morning of May 29.

After that moment, the trail appears to go cold.

The lack of confirmed sightings has fueled growing concern among family members and investigators alike.

According to descriptions released by the family, Weston stands approximately 6 feet 1 inch tall and has long blond hair and blue eyes. At the time he disappeared, he was reportedly wearing lavender-colored pants, a “Save the Bees” T-shirt, and white sneakers.

The distinctive outfit has become a key part of the family’s public awareness campaign.

Photos of Weston have circulated widely online, appearing across social media platforms, community forums, university networks, and international missing-person groups.

Nancy Higginbotham said she remains deeply grateful for the overwhelming support they have received.

“We truly feel the prayers,” she said in the emotional video. “We feel the love from people we’ve known for years and from people we’ve never met.”

She noted that messages have arrived from across the globe, offering encouragement and assistance.

Friends, classmates, fellow Auburn University students, Japanese residents, government officials, and complete strangers have all joined efforts to help locate the missing young man.

The family says those expressions of support have provided strength during an extraordinarily difficult period.

Yet behind the gratitude lies an undeniable sense of urgency.

Each day without answers adds to the emotional strain facing the family.

Keith Higginbotham emphasized that public awareness remains essential to the search.

“We’re getting closer because people keep sharing,” he said. “Somewhere out there is the person who will help us find Weston.”

His words reflected a cautious optimism that continues to drive the family’s efforts despite mounting uncertainty.

Authorities in Japan have launched an extensive search operation involving multiple agencies and significant resources.

According to updates shared by the family, approximately 50 police officers participated in one phase of the search effort. Specialized search dogs and helicopters were also deployed to assist investigators in covering difficult terrain.

Much of the search has focused on heavily wooded areas near Bishamondo and Otowa, regions characterized by dense vegetation, steep slopes, and challenging hiking routes.

Search teams have encountered additional obstacles due to recent severe weather.

Heavy rain associated with a recent typhoon left the ground saturated and created difficult conditions for both ground personnel and canine units.

Mud, slippery trails, and reduced visibility have complicated efforts to thoroughly examine certain sections of the search area.

Despite these challenges, authorities continue expanding the search.

At the conclusion of one major operation, officials reported that no confirmed trace of Weston had been found. Additional areas were scheduled for examination as investigators broadened their efforts.

Nancy publicly thanked the numerous organizations assisting in the search.

Among those she recognized were Japanese law enforcement agencies, volunteers, the U.S. Embassy, the FBI, Alabama government officials, and private citizens who have dedicated time and resources to helping the family.

“The amount of support we’re receiving is incredible,” she wrote in a public update.

Family friends say the international cooperation has provided reassurance that the case is being treated seriously by authorities on both sides of the Pacific.

One factor making the disappearance particularly puzzling is Weston’s experience outdoors.

According to his mother, he is an avid hiker with strong navigation skills and considerable confidence in unfamiliar environments.

Those who know him describe him as intelligent, independent, and comfortable exploring nature.

As an environmental engineering student, he reportedly enjoyed outdoor activities and frequently embraced opportunities for adventure.

That background has led some supporters to wonder how someone with his experience could seemingly disappear without leaving behind more clues.

Investigators have not publicly offered definitive answers.

The family has acknowledged that Weston may have been experiencing emotional distress before his disappearance, a detail that has heightened concern among loved ones and search personnel.

However, relatives continue to emphasize that they are focused on finding him rather than speculating about what may have happened.

In recent days, family members have adjusted their public requests for assistance.

Initially, supporters were encouraged simply to report possible sightings. Now, the family is asking that anyone who believes they have located Weston immediately contact local authorities first before sharing information online.

The request is intended to protect the integrity of the investigation and prevent misinformation from spreading across social media.

Volunteers have also been urged to remain vigilant in a wide range of locations.

The family has encouraged people in the Kyoto area to watch for Weston in train stations, hostels, hotels, cafes, convenience stores, parks, and wooded areas.

Given the uncertainty surrounding his movements after the last confirmed sighting, search efforts have extended far beyond the immediate vicinity of the train station.

Meanwhile, back in Alabama, anxiety continues to build among friends and classmates.

Students at Auburn University have joined awareness campaigns, sharing missing-person posters and encouraging international followers to help circulate information.

Many describe Weston as kind-hearted, intelligent, and compassionate.

His parents echoed those sentiments in their public message.

“If you know Weston, you know what a great kid he is,” Nancy said. “He has a heart of gold.”

That image of their son—a bright young man with a promising future—remains at the center of the family’s appeal.

As the search enters another critical phase, the uncertainty remains overwhelming.

No confirmed sightings have emerged since the surveillance footage at Yamashina Station. No clear explanation has been provided for his disappearance. Investigators continue pursuing leads while loved ones cling to hope.

For Nancy and Keith Higginbotham, the mission remains painfully simple.

Find their son.

Every shared photograph, every social-media post, every tip submitted to authorities represents another chance to bring Weston home.

“We will continue to have hope,” Nancy wrote in a recent update. “And we will find Weston.”

For now, that hope continues to guide a search stretching across continents as a family waits anxiously for answers and prays that the next phone call brings the news they have been longing to hear.